Honda's first attempt had great success in the hypermiling circles; but the mainstream was none to eager to drive such a repulsive looking vehicle. But wonderful fuel savings lessons were learned and Honda might have hit a home run with the 2nd generation Insight.
The next chapter in the evolution of hybrid technology has been written with the new 2010 Honda Insight. In developing cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicle technology and developing advanced alternatives in gasoline, no one is a more accomplished than Honda. Among these accomplishments, Honda is also a leader in the development of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars like the FCX Clarity fuel cell car. The new Honda Insight is also a huge triumph that should be added to that list. This new Honda Insight was first debuted on Jan. 1st 2009 and amazed everyone with all its extra features and consumer appeal; its Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology and more cost-efficient production method.
The new Honda Insight provides environmentally-conscious hybrid customers with new affordability, better performance, and a highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallon. [Read more...]
The fuel efficient Honda Fit will become even more frugal next year when Honda releases a hybrid version of the fit. The Insight sells for about $3k more than the fit in Japan, so just imagine a $16k hybrid on the market next year! One can only dream. As gas is back on the rise, Honda Motor Co. sees a huge market for fuel efficient hybrid cars.
Never heard of Mugen? Well this company which was started by the son of the founder of Honda itself; has been tuning cars professionally since 1973. Mugen has a cult following overseas and with the import boom here in the US; Mugen parts can fetch a hefty price tag. Today they tune the Insight from top to bottom.
Hybrid owner who was into upgrading their ride? The Insight already has the 2nd lowest drag coefficient of any mass produced car on the road today, so why would any company try to better the Insights slippery look?
fuel economy in mind. The Mugen catalogue includes a lip spoiler kit, front grill, and wing which hopefully add up to some nice airflow management around the car. Remember the lower the drag the better the MPG.
stock wheels are ditched for either a set of 16-inch mesh or 15-inch 8-spoke rims wrapped in LRR Tires. Handling issues are addressed with a set of springsthat drop the car about 20mm, which isn’t much, but they do tighten up the car.
Although a nice triangle tip exhaust adds a bit of flavor to the exhaust note. And of course the Insight is sure to receive the regular treatment of a shift knob, floor mats, probably pedals, and who knows what else.
Of all the factors contributing to poor gas mileage; your car's drag co-efficient is probably not at the forefront of your mind. Well the shape of your auto determines whether it cuts through the wind like a hot knife in butter or plunges through like a big square brick. Countless hours and millions of dollars are spent in the wind tunnels of the largest car companies trying to lower that drag co-efficient to minimal levels. A vehicle like a hummer is at the very high end of the scale with a drag coefficient of 26.5! While the compact gas sipper Honda Insight is at the low end with a paltry 5.10. So all things being equal....the body style of the Insight is much suitable for a car that can get more than 40 miles per gallon without breaking a sweat.
wind has to change the better for your drag coefficient. I know the wheel covers on the rear of the Insight is UGLY. But you don’t drive a Hybrid for the looks do you?
With the release of the Insight now upon us, I wonder if the Civic is man enough to put up a good fight. The new Insight comes equipped with shooting stars and nunchakus. The lowly Civic only has chop sticks and Dragon-Ball Z movies.
The great thing about purchasing a Certified Used Honda Hybrid from a dealership is the awesome warranty that goes along with it. This used car warranty is just like a warranty that you get with a new car in that is covers pretty much everything from the motor, to the trans; pretty much all of the powertrain.
Anytime there is a good idea someone copies it. Major movies companies spy on each other then quickly steal ideals from their competitors…..think Deep Impact and Armageddon, Bugs Life and Ants, Volcano and well I can’t think of the other one right now; but you get my drift. So it was not really a shocker when the new Honda Insight looks exactly like the Toyota Prius. Well, why did the Honda engineers copy, I mean decide upon the wedge shape.
. The Shuttle has a wedge shape that allows it to cut through the atmosphere. Well the shape of the Toyota Prius net the best economy possible based on shape. If the Prius was shaped like a Hummer it would hinder its fuel economy. So the Prius has a drag coefficient of 0.25 according to 
Watch a used hybrid sale is like watching those crazy “Brides to Be” fight over Wedding Dresses at the year-end sale. Why all the drama for a used Civic Hybrid? Well it’s that Little Yellow CARB Sticker that causes people to go completely insane!